Vergelegen is a significant wine estate located in Somerset West, South Africa, which has recently undergone a transformation aimed at revitalizing its potential. The estate spans 3,200 hectares and offers stunning views of the Hottentots Holland mountain range and Cape Point. Established in 1700, it is home to a national monument, a stand of camphor… Read More »
Champagne producers reported a troubling 9.2% decline in sales for 2024, reflecting a "gloomy political and economic context." In the domestic market, sales fell by 7.2%, hitting a record low of 118.2 million bottles—the weakest performance since 1985. Export numbers were even more challenging, decreasing by 10.8% to 153.2 million bottles, marking the lowest demand… Read More »
Gérard Bertrand: Tales from the Temple Amid the pyramids at Clos du Temple winery, known for producing one of the world’s most expensive rosés, Margaret Rand interviews Gérard Bertrand, exploring themes of family, rugby, and his relentless pursuit of perfection. When visiting Bertrand’s winery, one might be struck by the peculiar mix of high culture… Read More »
This Polish wine seminar, presented by Adam Michocki at the Cool Climate Wine Summit in Copenhagen in January 2025, highlighted the dynamic evolution of Poland’s wine industry. Adam, who runs Central Wines, an agency focused on importing wines from Central Europe to the UK, engaged with notable Polish winegrower Kamil Barczentweicz during the event. Poland… Read More »
Following the November preview tastings in Montalcino, the reports for the 2020 Brunello di Montalcino and the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva coincide with their commercial release this month. A first look at the 2020 Brunello reveals graciously structured, seductive wines that are immediately harmonious. The summer preceding the harvest was hot and dry, with… Read More »
The UK sparkling wine scene has experienced rapid growth and transformation, contrasting with the traditionally slow evolution of the wine industry. A new UK Sparkling Wine Guide has been published recently, highlighting this dynamic category. This guide, consisting of 73 pages filled with rich information, begins with a comprehensive introduction to UK sparkling wine, accompanied… Read More »
The Centre Loire region is predominantly celebrated for its Sauvignon Blanc, especially from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, yet it also produces notable red wines, chiefly from Pinot Noir. Surprisingly, before phylloxera, Sancerre was mainly known as a red wine area. During a recent tasting, several impressive red wines stood out: Domaine Serge Laloue Sancerre Rouge 2022:… Read More »
Opportunistic buyers are currently taking advantage of lower prices to restock their cellars with blue-chip Burgundy. This trend emerged over the past few months, as detailed in the Market Watch section of the January 2025 issue of Decanter magazine. The glossy pages report that well-known merchants, including Bordeaux Index, noted a recovery in trading volumes… Read More »
Many regions across France and Europe boast their own versions of wild boar stew, but Corsica’s civet de sanglier, known locally as stufatu di cignale, stands out as a true culinary treasure. This stew, rich with flavor and often served with pasta or polenta, exemplifies the hearty cuisine inspired by the island’s mountainous terrain. Corsican… Read More »
Based in Wettolsheim, Domaine Albert Mann has long been recognized for its exceptional Alsace wines. Recently, the winery has elevated its status to one of the top producers in the region. During a visit with Antoine Barthelmé, the son of Jacky Barthelmé, who co-manages the estate, I learned that the Barthelmé and Mann families have… Read More »